ALT-1 How to re Ignite Passion for your Career
Passion is one of the key elements needed to really enjoy what you do at work and in life. Without that passion for what you do, you'll quickly find yourself becoming bored in your work environment. This of course can drastically affect you performance and productivity at work as well as your overall stress level throughout your entire day. Not to mention that if you aren't happy at work, you're most likely going to bring that negative aspect of your life home with you.
The main thing to remember, is that while you may think it's just work that you aren't happy with, it isn't just work that you are affecting. It is nearly impossible for most people to separate their work life from their private life, especially since they spend so much time at work. So, rather than just assume that work is work, you should consider doing something about it to make sure that you can get back the passion that you once had for you job, if any ever existed in the first place.
The important thing is to sit back, take some time away, and think about what you really like about your job. While it may be difficult at first to think of the good things, which may be buried below a great deal of hate, you'll eventually find many that you like. Then start to think of things that really bother you about work. Now compare them. You could find that it isn't work that bothers you, it's just your boss. You could find that it's just the commute that sets you off and ends your day on a bad note. It could be any number of things, but it is important to analyze the situation in order to see if there's a pattern somewhere that you can break that would make your work life that much more enjoyable.
For me however, I look at the situation much more simplistically. I figure that sometimes it is more important to stay positive than anything else. By this I mean, rather than allowing yourself to be bothered by the little things, smile more, laugh more, talk more. when you are so preoccupied with being happy all of the time, it's hard to be upset. Plus the happier you are, generally the more approachable you become, which allows you to have a better time socializing while you are at work. For me, this is a major aspect of what makes my job great. I find that the more I talk to people, the faster my day goes by, and the less bland it seems, no matter how often I do it.
Another way that I have found that really allows me to love my job again is to take some time away from it. Simply taking a few weeks away for vacation can really help you to relax and get back into your job all over again. I have found that I have a new appreciation for my job after being away from it for a while. While it feels good to be away, it always feels good to come back to the routine of the job and be around my coworkers.
I also try to do things while I'm at work to make my day more enjoyable. To do this, I listen to music, but only upbeat music, which is more apt to make you dance than anything else. I also make sure that I surround myself with humor. I put up funny (non offensive) pictures all over my work area. I do this because I have found that it is hard to be in a bad mood when everything around me is so funny. I just can't help but laugh in these situations.
Really what it comes down to is that you need to find ways in order to make your work life more entertaining and less stressful. I suggest working out a bit, talking to people that you don't normally talk to, do anything that is different for a change. Get away from your daily grind and move to something that is much different than the usual. If you normally drink coffee, drink an energy drink, mix it up a bit and you'll find that your passion will eventually come back to you. All it takes is a little effort and some self evaluation to see where you are lacking and fill that gap.
